Maryland State Police charged David M. Montgomery, 28, with first- and second-degree murder in connection with the death of Edward C. Zepp, 61, of Westminster.

Police were called to Zepp's home on Main Street, where they found his body on the back porch.

With the public's help, police found Zepp's van at an Anne Arundel County convenience store in the 4000 block of Ritchie Highway. Anne Arundel County Police had received reports of a van being driven erratically. Inside the van, they found Montgomery, police said.

Police took Montgomery into custody without incident, and he was taken back to Carroll County. A search warrant was sought to process the van.

Investigators said Montgomery was apparently a roommate of Zepp for about a year. A preliminary investigation indicates Montgomery moved out over the summer.

A motive for the killing was not immediately known, and a cause of death remained under investigation.